Emma first came to University of Gloucestershire straight from A Levels, initially undertaking BSc Animal Biology followed by MSc Applied Ecology. As part of both courses, she undertook residential fieldwork modules visiting a wildlife reserve in South Africa. These visits, and a long-term interest in parasitology and parasite transmission, have led Emma to her current PhD project.
This involves her researching parasite hotspots and transmission between mammals such as antelope, zebra, giraffe and rhino in the South African bush. The aim of this project is to better understand parasite distribution in relation to habitat management and how water holes might act as centres for parasite transmission.